Mrs. Christine Singleton

Mrs. Christine (Sumter) Singleton was born on April 23, 1922 in the Bulow section of Charleston County. She was one of seven children of James Sumter and Albertha Brown – Sumter. She passed away on July 7, 2018 in Columbia, SC where she spent the closing years of her life. During the final years of her life, she battled dementia and cancer, and the combination of the two brought her life to a close. While enduring her final series of illnesses, she was surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones. Her primary care-giver was her daughter-in-law, Luciel, who forfeited her career to stay at home and make sure that “Mother Singleton” had everything she needed.

She was married to the late Deacon Nathaniel Singleton who passed away in August 1999. They were married for fifty-seven years and spent the majority of their time in the Red Top Community; living for a brief time in Beaufort, South Carolina.

In her professional endeavors, she worked as a laundry attendant at the Citadel, and then as a domestic employee for three families in Charleston. However, in 1977 she earned her high school diploma, continued her education, and became a Nurse’s Aide. She took great pride in her work. Before retiring in 1985, she cared for several patients, many of them younger than her.

Christine took great pride in the fact that she Joined St. Mary AME Church as the youngest member and had lived to be the oldest member of the congregation. She served on the Usher Board and the Missionary Society and loved to sing and participate on church programs whenever she was given the chance to serve.

In her lifetime, Christine (Tina) had many loving friends and family members. However, she took great pride in her friendship with church sister and friend, Ms. Albertha Gadson. She loved the care and attention from the “Dover” girls of St. Mary AME Church. Then there are all the cousins, nieces, and nephews who showered her with love and it made her day to speak with each of them. She had great friendships with the Christmas Club ladies who banked their money together and then took year end withdrawals to do Christmas shopping. Her most endearing friendship was with the late Sister Ruth Sumter, who graduated from St. Johns High School with her and continued with her through nurses training. There are other friendships and alliances worthy of being listed here, but the space and time will not allow it.

Most important, Christine loved God. In the final weeks of her earthly existence, she spoke to God continuously. She loved  the  old  songs  of  praise  and  worship,  some  contemporary and  others  traditional. Some  of  her  favorite Scriptures include: Isaiah 40:31, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:25, Psalm 40, Matthew 6:33, and John 15:12-13. The one thing she would say to all of us today is “Keep looking up!”

Christine was preceded in death by all her siblings. Nathaniel known as Doughty (Irene), Isaac known as Joe-Bee (Clara), James (Maybell), Henry, known as Wiggy (Fannie) and Sarah (Leon). It is important that we mention the siblings of her husband who are Frank, Maggie, Rosa, Elizabeth, and Lucille, all who preceded her in death. The passing of Sister Christine Singleton closes a generation of two families.

She leaves to cherish her memory two church families, Grace Heritage Ministries of Columbia, SC and St. Mary A.M.E. Church in Charleston. Celebrating her life today is one daughter - Viola, and one son – Stephen and an endearing daughter-in-law, Luciel. A son, Sam Singleton, preceded her in death. Her memory will be embraced and cherished by her grandchildren, Pearl, Christine, Barbara-Ann, Matthew, and Kayla, and a host of great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and one great-great granddaughter, Maliyah. To God be the glory for a life so precious, we don’t want to see her go, however we are all blessed and better because she passed this way.

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